Restriction on Visitation Rights

In order to protect a child, a court will sometimes impose restrictions on the rights of a noncustodial parent to visit with a child. The extent of the restrictions is based upon what the court finds will best protect the child while still fostering the relationship between the child and the parent.

Role of Income Tax Returns in Determining Child Support Obligations

In order to properly determine a parent's child support obligation, it is important for the court to know what the parent actually earns. Tax returns reveal not only what a parent has historically made, but may also reveal amounts the parent has been concealing or if the parent is intentionally impoverishing him or herself.

Modification of Custody based of Preference of Child

As a child grows older and begins making decisions affecting his or her own life, a child might decide that he or she wants to go live with the "other" parent. Whether the court approves the move depends on the age and maturity of the child, the reason, for the move, and the ability of the parent to care for the child.

Uniform Interstate Family Support Act

The Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA), exacted in 1996, provided a new framework for states to use in collecting child support where the child and the parent reside in different states. It made it easier for state courts to exercise jurisdiction in establishing and collecting child support.

Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act

Under the Federal Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act, the home state of a child has jurisdiction to establish custody and visitation of the child. That state court continues to have jurisdiction over custody issues, and all other state courts are required to give full faith and credit to the court orders of the home state.